Convertible chair and couch



April 30, 1957 B. FRANKLIN CONVERTIBLE CHAIR AND conca E Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 23, 1956 w @M i MVA kw@ April 30, 1957 B. FRANKLIN 2,790,485

CONVERTIBLE CHAIR AND COUCH Filed April 23, 1956 2 Sheets-Shea?. 2

, INVENTOR. Mn/n.4 941/1?. w/va//v United States Patent O CONVERTIBLE CHAIR AND CUCH Llewellyn B. Franklin, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application April 23, 1956, Serial No. 580,033

8 Claims. (Ci. 155-113) This invention has to do with an article of furniture and is more particularly concerned with a convertible chair and couch.

The principle object of my invention is to provide an article of furniture adapted to be normally used as a chair, but which may be readily converted into a couch when desired.

lt is an object of this invention to provide a chair-like structure having a seat, a back rest, and a pair of arm rests related to the seat and back rest, and adapted to pivot relative thereto to establish a couch, the said arm rests establishing the foot and head portions of the couch.

Another object of my invention is to provide an article of furniture of the character referred to having a mechanical actuating means for shifting the arm rests relative to the seat, and the back rest.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an article of furniture of the general character referred to which is simple in construction, durable and dependable in operation, and which is both neat and attractive in appearance.

The various objects and features of my invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the article of furniture that I provide and showing it in an unactuated or chair position. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the article of furniture provided by the present invention and showing it in an actuated or couch position. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the structure of the present invention, it being a view taken substantially as indicated by line 3 3 on Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a back view of the construction provided by the present invention, taken substantially as indicated by line 4 4 on Fig. 3 and showing one arm rest in section. Fig. 5 is a back view, similar to Fig. 4 and showing the construction in an actuated or couch position.

The convertible chair and couch construction provided by the present invention and illustrated throughout the drawings, includes generally, a frame A having a flat, horizontally disposed base B, vertically disposed arm rest supports C and D at the ends of the base, a central seat portion E spaced between the arm rest supports and projecting upwardly from the base, and a back rest F projecting upwardly from the seat portion E. The structure further includes normally vertically disposed arm rests G and H pivotally carried by the arm rest supports to ,occur adjacent the seat portion E and back rest F and adapted to be pivoted relative thereto to establish a couch, and actuating means I carried by the frame A and adapted `to shift or pivot the arm rest from one position to the other.

The base B of the frame A is an elongate at member or structure having straight parallel front and rear sides and 11 and straight parallel ends 12 and 13.

'The armrest supports C and D are at, vertically disrice , 2 posed rectangular members or structures, having straight horizontally disposed top edges 14 and 15, respectively. The arm rest supports C and D are xed to the ends of the base B to project upwardly therefrom, with the Vtop edges 14 and 15 thereof spaced above and extending transverse of the base.

The central seat portion E of the frame A is a boxlike structure fixed to and projecting upwardly from the base B at Ia point intermediate the ends thereof and spaced from the supports C fand D. The seat portion E is established by a pair of vertically disposed side walls 16 spaced longitudinally along the base and extending transverse of the base, and a at horizontally disposed rectangularV cover 1'7 fixed to and extending between the upper edges of the walls 16. The cover 17 has end portions 18 4that overhang or project beyond the sidel walls 16 to establish downwardly facing stops 19 extending transverse of the frame and adapted to be engaged by portions of the :arm rests G and H, in a manner that will be hereinafter described.

The back rest F of the frame H is a substantially at vertically disposed structure and projects upwardly from the back side of the central seat portion E. In the form of the invention illustrated 4the back rest F is shown as including posts 20 secured to the base B and the side walls 16 of the seat portion E, -and a flat rectangular, vertically disposed panel 21 xed to the front sides of the posts to project upwardly from the cover 17 of the seat portion to the tops of the posts.

In the case illustrated the vertical end portions of the panel 21 project beyond the end portions 18 of the cover 17 ofthe central seat portion E.

I-n carrying out the present invention, the frame construction A thus far described can be fabricated of wood, metal or a combination of wood and metal, as desired and as circumstances require.

In the form of the invention illustrated the back rest F is suitably upholstered by a thick pad 22 of foam rubber, or the like, secured to the front surface 23 of the panel 21. The pad 22 extends from one end of the panel to the other and from the cover 17 of the seat portion E upwardly tothe top of the panel. A suitable fabric or plastic covering 24 is providedto cover the front, top and ends of the pad. v

The cover 17 of the seat portion E of the frame A can be upholstered in the same manner as the back rest F, or, as in the particular case illustrated, can support and be covered by a suitable cushion 25.

It is to be understood that the above manner of covering or upholstering the seat cover 17 and the back rest F of the frame A is only one possible manner in which each of said portions can be upholstered and that in practice any other suitable form of upholstery can be employed.

The arm rests G and H of the convertible chair and couch construction provided by the present invention and pivotally carried by the frame A, are substantially alike, and each includes, a frame-like body 30 and suitable upholstery 31.

The frame-like bodies 30 of the arm rests G and H are substantially llat vertically disposed rectangular structures having upper portions 32 projecting upwardly from the top edges 14 and 15 of the arm rest supports C and D, and lower Vportions 33 depending from the top portions to normally occur adjacent the inner sides of the arm rest supports and within the spaces defined by the supports C and D and the central seat portion E of the frame A.

In the form of the invention illustrated, the lower portions 33 of the arm rest bodies 30 are relieved or made narrower than the upper portions 32 so that downwardly facing shoulders 34 are established along the lower edges jWhen the actuating means I is operated to vthe fully actuated position, the links 54V and 55 must crosseach other, in the manner illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings. In order to permit the links 54 and 55 to cross in the manner set forth above, the end of the link 55 connected to the pulley wheel 52 is held in spaced relationship from the back side of the pulley wheel and from the link 54 by the pivot means connecting the link 55 to the pulley wheel.

Since the pivot means connecting the pulley wheel 52 to the panel 23; of the back rest F and the pivot means connecting the ends of the links 54 and 55 to the pulley wheel 52 and the arm rests D and H, do not materially effect the novelty of the present invention, detailed illus tration and description thereof will be dispensed with, it being understood that any suitable pivotal connecting means can, in practice, be employed.

In the form of the invention illustrated, the posts 20 of the back rest F project a substantial distance rearward of the panel 21 and the means I, and are provided with suitable notches 70 to freely pass the links 54 and 55 as they project from the pulley wheel 52 to the arm rests G and H.

In order to provide a neat, attractive construction, and to hide or shield the posts Z0 of the back rest F and the actuating means I, a suitable horizontally disposed top board 80 and suitable vertically disposed end boards 81 are secured to the top and end edges of the panel 21 of the back rest, to project rearwardly therefrom. In practice, the upholstery covering 24 on the back rest F continues rearwardly from the top and ends of the pad and covers the boards 80 and 81.

To further enhance the appearance of my furniture construction, a suitable facing board 82 is secured to the front of the frame A to extend from one end thereof to the other and is adapted to close the front of the central seat portion E and lthe spaces occurring between the seat portion E and the arm rest supports C and D, so that no unsightly openings, spaces or gaps can be viewed at the front of the construction.

In the form of the invention illustrated, and to further enhance the appearance of the furniture construction that I provide, the covering 36 on the arm rests G and H, continues from the tops of the pads 35, downwardly over the outer or end surfaces of the arm rests and the arm rest supports C and D, and suitable covers and hide the hinges 37 that pivotally connect the arm rests and their related supports together` The reversible motor M of the actuating means F is controlled by a suitable switch panel (not shown), which panel can be located at a station remote from the piece of furniture, and connected thereto by a suitable electrical cable.

It will be apparent from the foregoing, that the present invention provides a neat and attractive upholstered chair,

which when desired, can be easily and quickly converted into an equally neat and attractive couch.

It will be further apparent that the article of furniture of the present invention is both easy and economical of manufacture, is strong and durable in construction and is dependable in operation.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but Wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described rny invention, I claim:

l. A convertible chair and couch of the character referred to including, an elongate frame having a flat base, arm rest supports projecting up from the ends of the base, a central seat portion projecting up from the base Vand spaced from the supports, and a back rest projecting up- `wardly from the central seat portion, arm rests having upper and lower portions, pivot means securing the arm rest to the arm rest supports with the upper portions thereof projecting upwardly lfromthejsl'lpports and the lower portions thereof depending between the supports and the central seat portion, and actuating means carried by the frame and connected with the arm rests'and operable to pivot the arm rests from a position where their upper portions project upwardly from the supports to a position where their upper portions project longitudinally outward from the supports and where the lower por-r tions ofthe arm rest are brought into cooperative engage'- ment with the central seat portion. A

2. A convertible chair and couch of the character r eferred to including, an elongate frame having a flat base, arm rest supports projecting up from the ends of the base, a central seat portion projecting up from thebase and spaced from the supports, and a back rest projecting up@ wardly from the central seat portion, arm rests having upper and lower portions, pivot means securingrthe arm rest to the arm rest supports with the upper portions there'- of projecting upwardly from the supports and the lower portions thereof depending between the supports and the central seat portion, and actuating means carried by the frame and connected with the-arms rests and operable to pivot the arm rests from a position where their upper portions project upwardly from the supports to a position where their upper portions project longitudinally outward from the supports and where the lower portions of the arm rest are brought into cooperative engagement with the central seat portions, the central seat portion of the frame having downwardly facing stops at each end thereof to extend transversely of the frame and spaced above the base and adapted to be engaged by the lower portions of the arm rests when the armrests are actuated.

, 3. A convertible chair and couch of the character referred to including, an elongate frame having a at base', arm rest supports projecting up from the ends of the base, a central seat portion projecting up from the base and spaced from the supports, and a back rest projecting upwardly from the central seat portion, arm rests having upper and lower portions, pivot'means securing the arm rest to the arm rest supports with the upper portions thereof projecting upwardly from the supports and the lower portions thereof depending between thev supports and the central seat portion, and actuating means carried by the frame and connected with the arm rests and operablepvto pivot the arm rests from a position where their upper portions project upwardly from the supports to a position where their upper portions project longitudinally outward from the supports and where the lower portions of the arm rest are brought into cooperative engagement with the central seat portions, the central seat portion of the frame having downwardly facing stops at each end thereof to extend transversely of the frame and `spaced above the base and adapted to be engaged by the lower portions of the arm rests when the arm rests are actuated, one support being of suiiicient vertical extent so that the arm rest pivoted thereto is in a horizontal plane when fully actuated and stopped, the other support being of greater vertical extent so that the arm rest pivoted thereto is in an inclined position when fully actuated and stopped.

4. A convertible chair and couch of the character referred to including, an elongate frame having a flat horizontally disposed base with parallel front and rear sides and parallel ends, flat vertically disposed rectangular arm rest supports projecting upwardly from the ends of the base, a box-like central seat portion projecting up from the base and spaced from the arm rest supports, and a at substantially vertically disposed back rest projecting upwardly from the back side of the central seat portion, a substantially flat, rectangular arm rest related to each arm rest support to extend transverserofthe frame, each arrn rest having a normally upwardly projecting upper portion projecting upwardly from the arm supportfto occur adjacent the central seat portion and the back rest, and a lower portion depending between t h e armrest sup- -7 portraidftlief entrabseat. portion, hinge Ameans securllg the, flipperY portions f vthe ar'rngrests to thetops of the arntrest supports, and actuating'means= carried' by fthe frame and connected with the arm rests and operable to pivot 'the armrests to a position where their upper portions project" longitudinally outward from the tops of the supports 'and ltheir lowerV portions are brought into cooperative engagement' with the central seat portion of the frame to establish a couch, the actuating'meansincluding, `a reversible primevmover carried by the frame, a pulley wheel carried by the frame and driven by the prime. mover, and a link extending between and pivotallyconnected with the .lower endportion of each arm rest andthe pulley wheel.

'5. 'A convertible chair and couch of the character referred to including, anelongate frame having a ilat horizontally 'disposed base Withparallel front and rear sides and'parallel ends,"at vertically disposed rectangular arm rest 'supportsjproje'cting upwardly from the ends of the base, a box-likecentral seat portion projecting up from thebase and spaced: from the arm rest supports, andA a llat 'substantiallyvertically disposed back rest projecting upwardly from'the'back side of the central seat portion, a substantiallyfat, rectangular'arm rest related to each arlr V support to extend' transverse ofthe frame, each arm rest' having a normally'upwardly, propecting upper Vportion'projectingupwardlyfrom the arm support to occur adjacentthe central'seat portion and the back rest, and a lower portion rdepending between the arm rest support and the central seat portion,hinge means securing the upperportions of thev arm rests to the tops of the arm rest supports, and actuating means carried by the frame and connected with'the'arm rests and operable to pivot the armrests to a position Awhere their upper portions project longitudinally outward from the tops of the supportsand their lower portions are brought into cooperative engagementwith the central seat portion of the frame to establi'shcaouchythe actuating means including, a reversible prirne mover Vcarried by the frame, a pulley wheel carriedby the lframe and driven by the Yprime Inoveig-and'a linkextendingbetween Vand pivotally connectedV with theloweren'd portion of each arm rest and the pu'llcywheel, andsuitable upholstery on the' central seatj portion, l `on'thebaclr rest of the frame and on the armrests. j Y

6. 'A'convertible'chair'and couch of the character referred to including, an elongate frame havingy a flat horizontally disposed'base'with` parallel'front and rear sides and'paralllen'ds, ilaty vertically disposed rectangulararm rest'supports'prjec'ting upwardly from the ends of the base and extendingv transverse the base, av box-like central seatportion `projecting up from the' center of the base and extendingtransverse .the base, anda 4iiat substantially vertically 'disposed back rest projecting upwardly from`the-back side 'of the central seat portion, the cen- 'tralseat portion' having longitudinally spaced vertical side .walls projecting upwardly from the base and a. flat horizontally 'disposedrcover fixed to -a-nd extendingy between the upper edgesof the side walls, the cover having end portionsoverhanging' the end walls and establishing downwardlyfacingV stop shoulders, a substantially flat, rectan- -gular arm restk related' to each arm rest support to extend transverse-of"thefrarr1e, each arm rest having an upper :portion normally fprojecting upwardly from the arm sup- ,.porVtoloccuradjacentfoneendof the central seat porf-'tion and-.thel-hack -rest,'andfa lower portion depending between-the armrest-"support and the: central seat por- `tio n,hinge means-pivotally securing the upper portions ofithe arm rcststothe tops `of the arm rest supports, and actuatingimeans'carried by'the frame and'connected withtheA armrests'and operable to pivot the arm rests 'to a position where their upperportions' project longitudinally-outward from'the tops of the'supp'o'rtsarid' their l lowerrportons 'fare brought into 'cooperative engagement with' a central' seatl portiontoY establish a couch, each arm rest'having af'franie/with a stop at'the lowerI portion thereofQan'diadapted to 'engage the'stop on lthe central seatportion whenv the arm rest is actuated, theactuating means including, a reversible electric motor carried by the frame, a reduction gear with a drive pulley carried by the frame and connected with the motor, a driven pulley wheel carried by the frame, a pulley belt between the drive pulley and the driven pulley wheel, and a link extending between and pivotally connected with the lower end portion of each arm rest and the pulley wheel.

7. A convertible chairV and couch of the character referred to including, an elongate frame having a flat horizontally disposed Vbase with parallel front and rear sides and Vparallel ends, at vertically disposed rectangular arm rest supports projecting upwardly from the ends of the base and extending transverse-the base, a box-like central seat portion projecting up from the center of the base and extending transverse the base, and a at substantialiy vertically disposed back rest projecting upwardly from the back side'of the central seat portion, the central seatV portion having longitudinally spaced vertical side walls projecting upwardly from the base and a ilat horizontally disposed cover nxed to and extending between the upper edges of the side walls, the cover having end portions overhanging the end walls and establishing downwardly facing stop shoulders, a substantially flat, rectangular arm rest related to'each arm rest support to extend transverse of the frame, each arm rest having an upper portion normally projecting upwardly from the arm support occur adjacent one end of the central seat portion and the back rest, and a lower portion depending between the arm rest support and the central seat portion, hinge means pivotally securing the upper portions of the `arrn rests yto the tops of the arm rest supports, and actuating means carried by the `trame and connected with the arm rests and operable to pivot the arm rests to a position where their upper portions project longitudinally outwardffrom the tops of the supports and their lower portionsare brought into cooperative engagementwith the lcentral seat portion to establish a couch, each arm rest having a frame with a stop at the lower portion thereof yand adaptedto engage the stop on the central seat portion when the arm rest is actuated, the actuating means including, a reversible electric motor carried by the frame, a reduction gear with a drive pulley carried by the frame and connected with the motor, a driven pulley wheel carried by the frame, a pulley belt between the drive pulley and the driven pulley wheel, and a link extending between and pivotally connected with ithe lower Vend portion of each arm rest and the pulley wheel, one

arm rest support being of suicient vertical extent so that the arm rest pivoted thereto is in a horizontal plane when fully actuated and stopped, the other support being of, greater vertical extent so that the arm rest pivoted thereto is in an inclined position when fully actuated and stopped.

8. A convertible chair and couch of the character re `ferred to including, an elongate frame having a ilat horizontally disposed base with fron-t and rear sides and parallel ends, tlat vertically disposed rectangular arm rest supports projecting upwardly from the ends of the base, a box-like central seat portion projecting up from the base and spaced from the arm rest supports, and a Vliat substantially vertically disposed back rest projecting upwardly from the back lside of the central seat portion, a substantially dat, rectangular arm rest related to each arm rest support to extend transverse of the frame, each arm rest having an upper portion normally projecting upwardly from the arm support to occur adjacent thecentral seat portion and the back rest, and a lower Vportion depending between the arm rest support and "the centralr'seat portion, hinge means securing the upper portions of thear'rnrests to the tops of the Varm rest 'supports,"andactuating means carried by the frame and V`connected"with the 'a1-m restsand operable to pivotthe arm rests to a position where their upper portions project longitudinally outward from the tops of the supports and their lower portions are brought into cooperative engagement with the central seat portion to establish a couch, the actuating means including, a rever-sible prime` mover carried by the frame, a pulley wheel carried by the frame and driven by the prime mover, speed reducing means between the prime mover and the pulley wheel, and a link extending between and pivotally connected with the lower end portion of each arm rest and the pulley wheel, the links being lixed to the pulley wheel so that the arm rests are shifted from one position to the other upon rotating of the pulley wheel in excess of 180 in one direction or the other and so that the links cross the central axis of the pulley Wheel, and stop means limiting rotation of the pulley wheel including, a stop mem- 'being rotatably secured to the back side of the back rest of the frame.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Y 167,565 Ransden Sept. 7, 1875 979,049 Thomson Dec. 20, 1910 1,336,062 Arton` Apr. 6, V1920 1,490,449 Bensch Apr. 15, 1924 2,531,045 Hoiman Nov. 21, 1950 

